Thimble



Sept. l5, 1931. p, BRUEmNG 1,822,953

` THIMBLE FiledvAug. 12, 1930 2 Sheets-.Sheet l sept. 15, 1931.

L. P. BRUENING THIMBLE Filed Aug. l2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 19 19 I--Zz 18 ZZ /18 l zo' wf-Z t @tn nvenlor Lee PBruenzn A llorney Patented Sept. 15, 1931 PAT 'FFC LEEl I. BRUENING, 0F BUTTE, MNTANA THIMBLE Application filed August 12, 1930. Serial No. 474,714.

This invention relates generally to thimbles employed in sewing by hand and particularly to a thimble which is constructed to combine a ripping and thread cutting knife in its head portion, said knife adapted to be nested in the said head and to be releasable into operating position upon manipulation of a spring detent associated therewith.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved thimble construction which combines in a highly eliicient and convenient manner in its head portion a ripping and thread cutting knife.

It is also an obj ect of this invention to provide an improved thimble of the type described which has a ripping and thread cutting knife pivoted in one side of the head of the thimble and conforming to the curvature thereof so as to nest therein in a slot in the head portion corresponding to the shape of the knife, said knife being outwardly spring-pressed and releasable outwardly by a spring retained detent mechanism constructed on the inside of the head portion of the thimble and having a lever protruding from one side of the head portion for engagement by the thumb of the user of the thimble.

It is also an obj ect of thisinvention to provide an improved thimble construction of the type described which will eliminate the necessity of using other implements and tools for ripping and thread cut-ting while using my improved thimble.

Itis also an object of this invention to provide a device of the character described which is highlysimple and effective and positive in operation, and cheap and inexpensive to manufacture, and which provides 1n highly attractive form a device admirably adapted for the purposes for which it is designed.

These and other and further objects of the invention, its nature, and its composition and arrangement and combination of parts will be readily understood from an inspection of the following description of the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved thimble.

Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the base of the thimble looking upward.

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the head portion of my improved thimble and disclosing the mounting of the ripping and thread cutting knife therein.

Figure 5 is a central vertical section through the head portion of my improved thimble further disclosing the mounting of the knife therein.

Figure 6 is a general side elevational view of my improved thimble showing the base portion thereof with the head portion removed. i y M Figure 7 is a vertical central section taken {il} at approximately ninety degrees to Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a similar View to Figure 7 showing the head portion in section as in Figure 5, mounted on the base portion and disclosing the arrangement of the detent 'il mechanism within the head portion.

Figure 9 isa lsimilar view to Figure 1, taken at ninety degrees thereto.

Figure 10 is a detail of the ripping and thread cutting knife. Figure 11 Vis a side view of the release lever.

Figure 12 is a top view thereof.

Figure 13 is an end view taken `from the left of Figure 12. 1p.

Figure 14e discloses the washer, which is to le be pla ced between lthe detent leverand the top of the base and around the post located centrally thereon. Y

Figure 15 is a side view of the detent spring. Y Figure 16 is a top view of Figure 15. lt will be understood that I ydonot desire to limit the application of this invention to the particular modification set forth herein to illustrate the same, and any change or changes may be made in material or structure consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the hollow frustoconical base into which the -nger is to be insertr. Se

ed when using the thimble. The numeral 6 designates the semi-spherical head portion of the thimble which is mounted on the base portion by means of a ring 18 mounted on is adapted to be positioned therein.

The frusto-conical baseportion hasfit-supper edge closed by a plate 17 upon which is mounted the ring 18 and a centrallyl loY cated boss 19. Suitable means, not shown, are provided for maintaining the head portion and the base portion in secure engagement.'

The kiiifefS is in the form of a'curved hook of"generally triangular cross section presentin'gftheprincipal cutting.A edge 13 and the surfaces of 'the knife converge to4 a sharp point 13a. The butt portion-16 is a semicircular body' forming with the knife blade anotchl adapted to be engaged by a laterallyl directed portion 24 and a ivertical projection 24a ofpa detent lever 23i which has a centrally enlarged'. and apertured portion 25 for 'rotatablemounting upon the boss 19.

One end 22'of the'detent lever 23 is enlarged to form a knob which. is projected through a slot`20'in"thering` '18l and through another slot 11 inthe loweredge portion of the semispheric'alhead.v It shouldbe stated that the headportion' is suitably roughened, as is the back portion. v8"of the knife 7 to'provide the proper surface for engaging the ends of .needles in the operation of sewing by hand.

A' circular Washer 26 lis adapted to be slipped on the'boss 19 and then'the apertured enlargement 25` andthelever 23 is placed thereover, and. then a coiled slningv 27. is placedover the lever 23. The upper end 27a ofthe spring is 'passed into and fastened in the hole '21 inthe upper portion of .the boss, and the lower end of the springis formed withfa'horiz'onta'l extension 28terminating` in a Vhook for engaging about` the lever 23 near tlieportionl 22 thereof.

The springv 27 with the lever 23 thus forms a 'springdetentadapted to engage with the notch 15 of the `knife blade to .maintain the blade in closed position as shown in lligure 8.

The butt end of the knife is mounted pivotallybetween a'pair of'lugs 9 formed adjacent oneend' of the'triangular opening 7 by means of a' pivot pin .therethrough and through the buttlofithe' blade.' Suitable means may be providedlfor ejectingthe knife into operating position upon the release of the lever 23 from"tl1'e'notch. 15. y

AA suggested form for said ejecting means is tform an extension` of the pivot pin 10 as at10a,` the p in being tightly fitted into the butt ofthe knife, and to provide a -coil 5 springr29 tightly gripping `the extension 10a will be permitted to swing the knife 7 into extended' position'.

The spring 27 is so disposed as to normally rotate the lever 23 so as to engage the poi tion 24 with the notch 15 to retain the knife in its closed position. Thus, with the thimble upon the finger, it is a simple matter to` actuate the end- 22 of the detent 23 with the thumb to release the knifeinto rippingand-cutting position whenever itis desired to rip or cut threads, and the knife may berestored to its position in the semi-spherical head by,Y simply pressingthe knife back into position. Permittingthe detent lever to return'toengagement with the notch. 15 through. the action. of the 'spring 27 which will' then `lock the Vknife in the head.v

1t will now be obvious that I 'have provided an improved sewing thimble ofthe type described, which is simpleand positive in operation, whichis composed of few'andsimple parts, and'which is simple and leasyand inexpensive to manufactura vand otherwise admirably adapted forthe purposes'forwhich itiwas designed.

l'claim: Y'

1L Athimble ofthetype described comprising ahollow. body for positioning on a fingerwhile sewing, a. hollow cap on the upper'end lthereof, an elongated opening across theY cap; having one endfbelw the upper part of tlie-cap3 a'knife Vhaving one endpivoted iii-said one end of the'opening land adapted to close said opening` when Yin retracted position, and ia' manually operable spring de# tent in said icap for releasablyl retaining the y knife in retracted position.

2:' A thimble lof the-typedescribedl coinprisng al hollow body' for positioning on a finger while sewing a hollow cap on theupper'end thereof; an elongated opening across thel 'cap' having one end below the upper part ofthe cap,` a knife having -one'end pivoted said one end ofthe openingandadapte'd to Close* said' openingwhenninaretracted" po# sition, and a(l manually' operablef spring 'detent :in :saidcap for: releasabl-y retaining the knife in retractedposition, the upper'end of the hollowV body being1 closed aplate having` an upstanding flange on.. Vwhich said cap is secured.

37A thimble of the type. described comprising a hollow body for positioningfon a linger while sewing,` a hollow cap`on-the upper end' thereof, an elongated opening Vacross-the cap-having ,one end below the'upper part of the cap, a knife having one end pivoted in said one end of the opening and adapted to close said opening when in retracted position, and a manually operable spring detent in said cap for releasably retaining the knife in retracted position, the y upper end of the hollow body being closed by a plate having an upstanding flange on which said cap is secured, said cap being generally hemispherical in form.

4. A thimble of the type described coinprising a hollow body for positioning on a finger while sewing, a hollow cap on the upper end thereof, an elongated opening across the cap having one end below the upper part of the cap, a knife having one end pivoted in said one end of the opening and adapted to close said opening when in retracted position, and a manually operable spring detent in said cap for releasably retaining the knife in retracted position, the upper end of the hollow body being closed by a plate having an upstanding flange on which said cap is secured, said cap being generally hemispherical in form, and said elongated opening being triangular and disposed with its base below the upper part of the cap, and said knife being generally triangular in cross section.

5. A thiinble of the type described coniprising a hollow body for positioning on a finger while sewing, a hollow cap on the upper end thereof, an elongated opening across the cap having one end below the upper part of the cap, a knife having one end pivoted in said one end of the opening and adapted to close said opening when in retracted position, and a manually operable spring detent in said cap for releasably retaining the knife in retracted position, the upper end of the hollow body being closed by a plate having an upstanding flange on which said cap is secured, said cap being generally hemispherical in form, and said elongated opening being triangular and disposed with its base below the upper part of the cap, and said knife being generally triangular in cross section, said spring detent consisting of a horizontal swingable spring-positioned lever, a shoulder on the base of the knife,

means on the lever for engaging the shoulder for normally retaining it in retracted position in the cap.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

LEE P. BRUENING 

